The Vanderbilt University Writing Supplement requires a response to a single prompt, approximately 250 words in length.
Personal Growth & Community Contribution
"Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt."
My identity as the oldest of four siblings was forged at the dinner table. For years, I tried to have the loudest voice. I dared to grow when I realized my role wasn’t to win the debate, but to be the family’s translator. I learned that true listening wasn’t just about finding common ground, but about understanding why my siblings felt so strongly in the first place. This taught me that strong communities are built not on agreement, but on mutual validation. This is the perspective I want to bring to Vanderbilt’s Alternative Spring Break program. My experience has prepared me to help my team navigate challenges and build a strong, effective dynamic. As I continue to grow at Vanderbilt, I will use my skill for fostering understanding to help build a campus community where every voice is not just heard, but valued.
I grew up in the aisles of my family’s hardware store. This background taught me that every problem has a solution. I dared to grow when I stopped seeing myself as a salesperson and more as a puzzle-solver. The look of relief on a customer’s face when a frustrating leak was finally fixed gave me a satisfaction that a simple sale never could. It taught me that the best work involves building practical solutions for human problems. I want to apply this hands-on mindset at Vanderbilt with Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations (SCNO). Seeing my parents donate materials to help a local shelter with repairs showed me that small, practical acts can have the biggest impact. At Vanderbilt, I am excited to grow by using my problem-solving skills to help build a stronger Nashville community.
It wasn’t a championship that defined my identity as a chess player, but the look of joy on a seven-year-old’s face when she finally understood how a knight moves. Before I started a chess club at my local library, my focus was on one thing: winning. I saw the board as a battlefield. That moment dared me to grow, shifting my focus from my own rating to my students’ progress. I realized my passion was not just for the game, but for sharing it. At Vanderbilt, I want to continue building communities around shared passions. I plan to join the Chess Club and help organize outreach events with local schools, creating a space where players of all levels can grow together. I will bring my experience as a teacher and community builder to help create a campus where every student feels they belong.
All the best!
